During the summer, cocktails have to serve more of a purpose than just getting you drunk. When the temperatures are this high, only something refreshing and served with plenty of ice will do. You may take your whiskey neat the rest of the year, but even the most discerning drinkers can’t resist an excellent summer cocktail. Better add these ten libations to your seasonal drinking repertoire — it may be the only way to tolerate the 100-plus degree days to come.
Read More12 Refreshing Cocktails to Keep You Cool This Summer
It's hot — drink up.
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Midnight Rambler
As with the rest of the year, summer is a great time to find yourself in this “craft cocktail salon” at the Joule. The cocktails here are as drinkable as they are odd, which means that you may find yourself suddenly addicted to slurping down ice-cold vodka and pho broth, the cheekily named Pho-King Champ, in the same glass. If that isn’t avant-garde enough for you, try The Psychedelic Sound Of The Improved Bergamot Sour, made with Earl Grey-infused gin, maraschino liqueur, and bergamot essence.
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Parliament
The bar at Parliament is always a solid choice, even though its close quarters may get a little sweaty during the summer months. The produce, on the other hand, will be fresh as ever, which makes for an incredible Garden Gimlet, made with local herbs and Ford's Gin. The Dragon Fly is also an excellent fresh cocktail, mixed with cracked black pepper, basil, cucumber, and ginger.
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The Woolworth
At The Woolworth, summer’s most refreshing cocktail is served in a golden pineapple. The Chill Factor, as it is aptly named, is a meant-for-two drink mixed with Absolut Elyx vodka, chamomile syrup, elderflower liqueur, and lavender honey. The result is impossibly refreshing, and no one can pass up a cocktail that is served in a pineapple, then garnished with dry ice and edible flowers. At $26 it is pricey, but totally worth the spectacle.
Proof + Pantry
Should you find yourself parched while wandering around the Dallas Arts District, drop into Proof + Pantry for a classy cool-off. The recently-launched summer cocktail menu is as strong as you would expect with Michael Martensen at the helm, but you’ll want to skip the heavier drinks this summer in favor of a lighter sip, like the Peachy Clean. Made with gin, peach liqueur, and ginger syrup, it’s the perfect drink for 100+ degree days.
Henry's Majestic
Barman Alex Fletcher has a flair for creating impossibly sippable cocktails, and the setting at Henry’s Majestic is perfect for both a lazy summer Saturday, or, as the kids say, “getting turnt up.” While the weather is still bearable, sit out on the restaurant’s awesome patio and enjoy a Amor Azul. This tequila-based cocktail is mixed with blueberry, mint, and rosewater, which is basically the holy trinity of sophisticated summer flavors.
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Remedy
At this Lower Greenville throwback spot, Mate Hartai has assembled a collection of highballs and cocktails that will keep your thirst at bay all summer long. The sodas, syrups, tinctures, and other fancy components are all house-made, and as fresh as can be. Try the Melon Ball, made with rhum agricole and housemade Dew! soda (think Mountain Dew but much fancier and fresher) for a sweet and exceptionally melon-y sip.
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Meso Maya
Obviously, margaritas are a must during the summer, and Downtown’s Meso Maya is home to some of the best. The avocado margarita is a particular favorite, and avocados are like, totally healthy which makes 5 or 6 of these on the patio totally justifiable from a health perspective. In fact, many of these margaritas look like something you’d order at a fancy juice bar with all the organic tequila, fresh fruit purees, and even vegetables. Cucumber totally counts as a vegetable.
The Mitchell
This swanky cocktail lounge’s libations don’t come cheap, but they are certainly refreshing. The gin & tonic here is a particular standout. The classic cocktail is made with the barman’s choice of spirit, and they generally won’t do you wrong. If G&T isn’t your thing, try the bar’s sophisticated take on a Paloma, called the Rio Bravo. Made with anejo tequila, mint-peppercorn syrup, and fresh grapefruit juice, this is a cocktail that could make patios bearable this time of year.
Lark on the Park
During the sweltering summer months, it’s maybe best to skip the spirit-forward (and stellar) options on the cocktail menu at Lark on the Park and stick with the “short” and “long” sections of the menu. The variety of summery cocktails here is excellent, but what is most impressive is how this bar has been able to integrate fresh produce of all kinds into the menu. Veggies feature prominently here, from the celery and cucumber muddled into the Hanging In The Garden, to the fresh greens in the Shiso Smash.
On Premise
On Premise may be newly opened, but they’ve hit the ground running with their summer cocktail menu. Mezcal is prominently featured, but not in the smoky, spirit-forward way that you’re used to. Try the Ong-Bak, made with mezcal and fresh fruit juices, then garnished with a tiny paper umbrella. There’s literally nothing more important in summer drinking than tiny umbrellas.
Black Swan Saloon
Gabe Sanchez always has something new up his sleeve. Right now it's a summery play on the classic mint julep concocted with peach bourbon, honey syrup, fresh mint, habanero-peach jam, and Campari, served classically over a mountain of crushed ice in a proper julep cup. Fancy (and delicious). Plus, no other patio in town has a badass Clint Eastwood tile mural like this one.
Bolsa
Grapefruit may be a winter crop, but the refreshingly bitter citrus fruit makes for some mighty tasty summer cocktails. Try Bolsa's Yellow #5, a unique and fizzy concoction of blanco tequila, grapefruit juice, soda, and turmeric, the bright yellow root often touted for its health benefits. (Antioxidants or no antioxidants — it tastes amazing.)
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